Mobilink Bank tops the SBP’s Banking on Equality scorecard for the second year in a row

Islamabad, October 22, 2024 – Mobilink Bank has once again demonstrated its unwavering commitment to gender equality and financial inclusion, securing a remarkable score of 82.7 on the State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) Women Friendliness Grid. This notable increase from last year’s score of 71.79 highlights the Bank’s continuous efforts in fostering a supportive environment for women borrowers and entrepreneurs, particularly in the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector.

The Women Friendliness Grid serves as a vital benchmark for assessing the accessibility and inclusivity of financial services for women. Mobilink Bank’s approach combines innovative programs and strategic partnerships aimed at supporting women across Pakistan.

Through its Women Inspirational Network (WIN) program, the Bank has trained over 20,000 women nationwide and, in partnership with Care Pakistan, upskilled an additional 1,500 women in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) district. Under Bint-e-Hawwa, Mobilink Bank disbursed PKR 6.96 billion in loans to women in 2022, which rose to over PKR 10.6 billion in 2023, marking a 50% increase.

Sharing his thoughts on the achievement, Haaris Mahmood Chaudhary, Interim CEO of Mobilink Bank, said, “Achieving an 82.7 score on the Women Friendliness Grid is a testament to our commitment to financial inclusivity and innovation. This milestone reflects our dedication to empowering women entrepreneurs, driving digital inclusion, and embedding sustainability into our operations. We will continue to focus on creating meaningful opportunities that foster gender equality and environmental responsibility.”

Mobilink Bank’s commitment to empowering women entrepreneurs is evident in its strategic allocation of resources and focus on sustainable practices. MSME lending represents 40% of the total loan portfolio, valued at PKR 24.34 billion, reflecting the Bank’s dedication to improving opportunities for women in business. This commitment is further highlighted by a 33% representation of women in leadership, the implementation of a childcare policy, enhanced maternity and paternity leaves, and a transport allowance. The launch of the Women Returnship Program – MobilinkHer, efforts to build a talent pool of women interns, and a focus on hiring more females underscore the Bank’s support for women. Currently, women comprise 16% of Mobilink Bank’s workforce at both the field and Head Office, up from 7% in earlier years, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 42% from 2020 to 2024.

In addition to these efforts, 44% of Mobilink Bank’s loan portfolio is allocated to agriculture, with 25% directed towards women-owned agri-businesses, demonstrating the Bank’s positive impact on women farmers and the broader economy.

Mobilink Bank is part of the VEON group, a global digital operator that provides converged connectivity and digital services to nearly 160 million customers in six dynamic markets that are home to 7% of the world’s population.